EU accession candidate Montenegro: The Orthodox Church has become a political stooge

Hello, Ratko Mladić would have liked so much attention and sympathy. The recently deceased Bosnian Serb ex-general and war criminal who was legally convicted by an international court is also posthumously shaking up the former Yugoslav Republic of Montenegro.

Of all people, a high-ranking dignitary from the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is very influential in Montenegro, could not hold the (holy) water and praised Mladić, whom many people still glorify as a “Serbian hero,” at a service. Now the public prosecutor's office in the capital Podgorica is investigating the man of God - for incitement to national, racial and religious hatred.

The accusations and accusations are anything but absurd. Mladić is also considered responsible for the massacre in Srebrenica. There, in July 1995, over 8,000 Muslim boys and men were slaughtered in cold blood - one of the most monstrous crimes since the end of the Second World War. This and other atrocities during the Yugoslavian wars have yet to be dealt with and addressed - not only in Serbia.

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But the problem goes much deeper. Many Orthodox churches have become handmaidens of the nationalistic and inhumane policies of their respective governments. In this context, we should remember the Russian Orthodox Church under its leader Kirill, which also maintains the closest relations with its Serbian “offshoot”.

The Moscow Patriarch unreservedly supports Vladimir Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law. The extermination of a people in the name of the Lord and in the priest's robe - any questions? Even.

For Montenegro, a member of NATO since 2017, the dispute over Mladić and his “legacy” comes at an inopportune time. The country with almost 630,000 inhabitants is preparing to become a member of the European Union as early as 2028, if possible.

The chances of the model student and “front runner” joining the Western Balkans soon are not bad, but there is still a problem with the important chapter “Justice”.

Unfortunately, the Mladić case has also reached politics. A member of parliament and the President of the People's Assembly also could not help but pay their respect and homage to Mladić. Corresponding demands for resignation and criminal charges are now pending. It is not yet possible to predict what the result will be. One thing is certain, however: Brussels will and must closely monitor further developments. It's not a good idea to look away, especially since there are other candidates from the region in the queue.

As the saying goes: Hope dies last, and perhaps faith too.